The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole has given the reason why the slot of the National Deputy Chairman, Southwest to be zoned to Ekiti was given to ex-Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi.
Recall that the Ekiti chapter of APC had claimed that the position of the National Deputy chairman APC South West who became vacant following the appointment of Otunba Niyi Adebayo as Minister of Trade and Investment by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 to be zoned back to Ekiti.
The State claimed that by the precedent convention and constitution of the APC, the Ekiti state which produces the seat that is vacant is to select another person to replace.
He furthered explained that, in Lagos state, Muiz Banire as the Chairman of Assets Management Company of Nigeria and was replaced by Babatunde Ogala which is also from Lagos. Like in Kwara State, Lai Mohammed was appointed Minister Professor Bolaji Abdullahi replaced him. We have the same in River State, in the case of Oji Ngofa.
“There is a zoning arrangement within our party, whereby the national chairman was zone to Edo State in South-south then the deputy national chairman, the south was zone to Southwest and Ekiti.”
“Now that the position is vacant it beckons on the southwest caucus ask for nomination from Ekiti state, not any other place. But what we heard they want to choose a replacement from Oyo State.”
“Ekiti State is not an appendage of any other state. We are against cheating. What belongs to us must not be taken away. The position of the National Deputy Chairman (South) of the APC should be zone back to Ekiti. We believe in a course and we are resolute. We are resisting modern-day Ajele.”
But in reaction to the Party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole explained that the former Oyo governor, Abiola Ajimobi was picked following votes from Southwest states.
Ajimobi replaced the Minister of Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, as APC National Deputy Chairman (South).
However, Oshiomhole while addressing State House Correspondents after presenting Ajimobi to President Muhammadu Buhari said Ekiti State however opposed Ajimobi’s emergence.
He said: “We have six states in the South-West where the seat was zoned. Ekiti is the only one opposing it. As we always say, majority had their way and the minority had their say. That’s all.
“I came to present or reintroduce Senator Ajimobi, whom the South-West nominated into the position of Deputy National Chairman, to Mr President. He has filled the vacancy created when Mr President appointed Adebayo as a minister.
“The President was excited and delighted to see him as one who will bring his wealth of experience to bear on the party”.